Collegiate Times

Robert B. Pamplin Sr., 97, who along with his son was the namesake for the Pamplin College of Business, died Wednesday, June 24.

Robert B. Pamplin, the college's namesake, died Wednesday in Oregon.

A 1933 Virginia Tech graduate, Pamplin earned a degree in business administration and became the CEO of Georgia-Pacific Corp. which manufactures tissue, paper, packaging and building products.

Richard Sorensen, Dean of Pamplin College of Business, said between Pamplin and his son, Bob Jr., the family has contributed more than $25 million to the Pamplin College of Business. 

"Mr. Pamplin and his family have been very generous," Sorensen said. "They've provided funding and also guidance in our activities."

Sorensen said much of the funding went directly to student scholarships and programs.

Pamplin Hall was named in his honor in 1969 and the Pamplin College of Business was named for him in 1988.

A plaque in the hall bears a statement Pamplin made, and Sorensen pointed to as guiding statement for the college.

"In addition to my education, I received three things from Virginia Tech that have meant more to me in my life and in the business world than anything else. They are honesty, discipline, and humility. My charge to all of you is that we continue to stress these values," Pamplin said when the addition to Pamplin Hall was dedicated in 1988.

Sorensen said this statement was unanimously adopted as a statement of values by the college's faculty later in the 1980s.

Pamplin was originally from Dinwiddie County. His wife of 68 years, Katherine Reese Pamplin, died less than a year ago. He had two brothers who are also deceased.

According to an Associated Press report, Pamplin Jr. said his father suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Pamplin worked for Georgia-Pacific from his college graduation in 1934 until he retired in 1976. According to his obituary, he was "an acknowledged leader and creative thinker within his industry. He was also known as the father of the southern pine plywood industry."

In a statement, Georgia-Pacific expressed gratitude for Pamplin's time at the company.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the Pamplin family," the statement said. "Mr. Pamplin was one of the most influential people in the history of our company.  His contributions to Georgia-Pacific and education were enormous, and he will be truly missed." 

After retiring, he created R.B. Pamplin Corporation with his son.

Prior to entering his field, he graduated from Dinwiddie County High School and Tech. He later completed a graduate degree at Northwestern University. He was also the recipient of honorary degrees from Tech, Lewis & Clark College, University of Portland and Western Seminary.

Tech also awarded him the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He served on the Board of Visitors from 1971 to 1979.

Pamplin was named Virginian of the Year by the Virginia Press Association.

Other awards include Northwestern University's "Merit Award" and Financial World's outstanding chief executive officer in forest and paper products industries.

He is survived by Pamplin Jr. and daughter-in-law Marilyn H. Pamplin, as well as granddaughters Amy Pamplin North and Anne Pamplin-Evenson and their families. He has three great-grandsons.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, at the Agnes Flanagan Chapel at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon.

No university memorials have been scheduled at this time.